Born in Quito and raised in Ambato, Ecuador, Osorio’s siblings include two older brothers. Osorio graduated from La Inmaculada High School in 1979. After high school Osorio traveled to Knoxville, Tenn. as an exchange student and later graduated from this U.S. high school in 1980. Osorio returned to Ecuador and attended Universidad Técnica de Ambato for two years later receiving an associate’s degree in business management from American Junior College in Quito. She later worked with her mother’s clothing manufacturing business. In 1986 Osorio married and become a stay-at-home mom. Later, Osorio worked for School for International Training (SIT, a multi-cultural organization helping American students learn and adapt) coming into a University High School program. Osorio won the VISA (travel lottery) in 2000 and went to work for Spring Institute as a project assistant and accountant. While there, Osorio studied English on a part-time basis at Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2003, and later enrolled full time. Osorio graduated as the top student of her 2007 graduating class from MSCD, majoring in Spanish with an emphasis in education. As an intern at MSCD, she in 2005 developed a study abroad program to Peru. Osorio worked for Jefferson County Health and Environment between 2005-2008. Later, she became the GED instructor for MSCD for monolingual adults. Osorio scored a scholarship for a master’s program at Ohio State University. She recruited MSCD students (2001-2008) as interpreters to participate in a medical eye care mission while at Ohio State. She was diagnosed with skin cancer after completing her master’s program in 2009. She went through surgery, treatment and recovery — and a divorce. Later, Osorio worked as a freelance interpreter with Spring Institute. In 2011 she was hired to her current position at CCD. She was nominated for the The Colorado Rockies Adult Leadership Award. Today, she volunteers at Centro San Juan Diego. She is married to Steve and together they are involved in building a foundation for Latino youth.

About Community College of Denver

Led by Director of Recruitment, Ari Rosner-Salazar at CCD, Osorio has been involved in outreach to the Latino community and Latino students. She helps students adapt within a multi-cultural environment and is the student recruiter.

High School Experience

A student at an all-girls private school in Ecuador, Osorio recalls and loved how the nuns inspired students to give back to their community.

Message to Youth

“Take risks. Leave your comfort zone. Study abroad if you are able.”

Last Word

“We have to be good citizens of the world — with good values. We seem to be losing our values and our philosophies. Go back to caring for your neighbors, having dreams and recouping our values.”